The psychology behind why January feels like the longest month of the year… despite having the same number of days as six others

It is a common joke on social media that January seems to last much longer than the 31 calendar days, with people joking that it is by far the longest month of the year, despite having the same number of days as six other months.

Now psychologists offer an explanation why the first month of the year seems to last much longer than the rest.

Clinical psychologists Chloe Carmichael and Pauline Wallin offer five reasons why January seems to be dragging on: the post-holiday blues; cold and dark days; financial concerns; the return to everyday routines; and the pressure of the new year, a fresh start attitude.

Carmichael said there may be a decline in the body's hormones responsible for mood and happiness after the socialization, festive spirit and gift giving of the holidays wear off.

She said, “We get gifts, or we give gifts, and we watch other people experience the magic of the holiday that we create for people, and it just floods us with dopamine, and it feels really good.

'So [after the holidays]there can be a feeling of depletion from those chemicals… It can almost feel like someone has pulled the emotional rug out from under us, [and it’s] a contrast that comes from the holidays.'

Dopamine is a hormone that acts on areas of the brain responsible for pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. It also affects mood, sleep, memory, learning and concentration.

During the “magic” of the holidays, people's dopamine levels can increase as they spend more time with their loved ones, eating delicious food and receiving gifts. However, if levels drop in January, it can lead to fatigue, mood swings and depression.

Dopamine may also play a role in the 'winter blues', or the more severe form of depression when the days get shorter: seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression related to changes in the seasons.

People who suffer from it often have the onset and end of symptoms around the same time every year.

Like clinical depression, it can be treated with medication and therapy.

SAD usually peaks in winter, when daylight diminishes and cold weather forces people indoors more. These dark and frigid days are another reason why January seems to last so long.

Carmichael told These conditions at Yahoo Life make January less conducive to “impromptu, spontaneous social gatherings” that get people out of the house and socializing with loved ones, which can leave people feeling lonely, isolated and like the days are dragging on.

Before January arrives, November and December are filled with holiday parties, dinners with friends, and checking off your shopping list for Christmas gifts.

It's estimated that Americans spend about $1,000 on the holidays, including $700 on gifts, $230 on things like Christmas decorations and food, and about $120 on miscellaneous holiday purchases — and the amount people spend has increased every year.

So while shopping at holiday markets and dining at Christmas-themed restaurants may sound fun, the bill you get in January will be a jarring return to reality.

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Carmichael said: 'A lot of people may have spent too much, so that can have a negative impact on our sense of well-being.'

The reality check that comes with a credit card bill after the holidays also brings a return to everyday routines.

The holiday season brings exciting out-of-town visitors, family trips, winter getaways and free time, as well as a busier social calendar.

But once the glow of the Christmas lights dims, so do the social obligations.

Now, most people are returning to their 9-to-5 jobs, Monday through Friday, and have daily obligations such as doctor appointments and household chores.

Wallin told Yahoo Life that returning to a routine, especially for people who were unhappy with theirs before January, will make the days seem longer and stretch out the month.

And Carmichael said it can be extra challenging in the new year to get back into a fitness routine that you may have given up during festivities because you missed the feel-good hormones produced by sweating.

Finally, the New Year's resolutions you've committed to following over the next twelve months may actually have a negative effect on your physical and mental health, which can affect how long January feels.

The “New Year, New Me” attitude and emphasizing that you've had a whole year puts extra pressure on people, while some are acutely aware of the passage of time.

Carmichael said: 'For some people there can be a sense of pressure when it comes to realizing the passage of time as January is the start of a new year.

“They may feel a lot of pressure looking back at what they did or didn't accomplish last year and feel pressure about the year ahead.”

Wallin said that all these unpleasant aspects of January can affect the way people perceive time: “There are many factors that influence our perception of time, but in general, if we are in discomfort or pain, or bored or being anxious, paying more attention to our discomfort and how long it lasts.”

To combat this, the psychologists offered several tips, including making sure you get enough sleep, as you may be feeling burned out by all the holiday activities, and making a healthy start to the new year more appealing by investing in fitness classes, meditation or cooking classes . and planning fun activities with friends and family that give you new experiences.